Chloe Adams
Metal candle moulds are a great way to create simple-shaped candles. They are typically used with soy wax, rapeseed wax, or beeswax, and can be cleaned with hot water. To use a metal candle mould, start by adding your wick through a pre-drilled hole in the bottom of the mould and securing it with a slip knot. Then, heat your wax to the desired temperature and gently stir in fragrance and dye if desired. Once the wax has cooled slightly, slowly pour it into the mould until it reaches the top. Allow the wax to cool and check it every hour for the first few hours. If a well starts to form around the wick, poke a hole in the surface and refill with more melted wax. Finally, allow the candle to dry for 24 hours before removing it from the mould and trimming the wick.
How to Pour Candles in Metal Molds
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Wax, mould, wick, mould sealer, sealing putty, hair dryer, bread knife, candle holder |
| Mould Materials | Metal tubes, sand, empty toilet paper rolls |
| Wax Types | Soy wax, rapeseed wax, paraffin wax, beeswax, olive wax, coconut wax, palm wax |
| Wax Temperature | 140 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Process | Pour wax into mould, allow to cool, remove from mould, trim wick, light candle |
| Cooling Time | Overnight |
| Removing Candle from Mould | Heat mould, use refrigerator, squeeze sides |
| Wax Colour | Dye chips, liquid dye |
| Wax Scent | A few drops of perfume |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the mould by cleaning and drying it
Preparing your mould is a crucial step in candle-making. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensuring your mould is ready for pouring:
Firstly, ensure your metal mould is clean and dry. If you are reusing an old mould, it is important to remove any residual wax or debris from the inside. This will ensure that your new candle does not become disfigured or uneven. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to wipe down the inside of the mould, being careful not to scratch or damage the surface.
If your mould has a removable base, it is advisable to take it off before cleaning. This will prevent any unwanted residue from getting onto the wick when you insert it through the base. Gently wipe down all surfaces of the mould, including the base, and ensure that it is completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
Once the mould is clean and dry, you can add your wick. Metal moulds typically have a pre-drilled hole at the bottom, designed for the wick. Take your wick and cut the end at an angle to help guide it through the hole. Pull the wick through, ensuring a snug fit, and leave about one inch of overhang.
The next step is to secure the wick in place. Tie the end of the wick in a slip knot, leaving a few inches of wick protruding. Use mould sealer to seal the hole around the knot, ensuring that it is tight and secure. Gently pull the wick up from the top of the mould so that the knot and sealer are flush with the surface.
As an extra precaution, you can cover the knot and sealer with duct tape. This will provide an additional layer of protection against any potential leaks. Finally, place your mould on a tray to catch any spills or leaks during the pouring process. Your mould is now ready for pouring, and you can proceed to melt your wax and add any desired colours or fragrances.
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Secure the wick by threading it through a hole in the mould's bottom
When making a candle in a metal mold, it is important to secure the wick correctly to ensure an even burn. To do this, you will need to thread the wick through a hole in the bottom of the mold. Here is a step-by-step guide:
First, cut the wick to the appropriate length, ensuring that it suits the type of wax and the diameter of your candle. The wick should be long enough to have about a 2.5 cm/1-inch overhang at both ends when threaded through the hole.
Next, if your metal mold does not have a pre-drilled hole, you will need to create one at the centre of the mold's bottom. Puncture a small hole with a nail or skewer. If your mold already has a hole, ensure any sharp edges are smooth to avoid damaging the wick.
Now, take your wick and tie a knot at one end. Feed the other end of the wick through the hole in the mold, ensuring the knotted end remains outside the mold. The tabbed or knotted end should stick out beyond where the top of your candle will be.
To secure the wick in place, you can use a variety of methods. One method is to use candle mold clay or hot wax to seal the area around the knotted wick on the underside of the mold. Alternatively, you can use duct tape or blu-tack to cover the hole and hold the wick in place. For an even easier option, purchase pre-made wick tabs, which are small metal discs with openings for the wick to be inserted and clamped closed.
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Heat wax to the recommended temperature and stir in fragrance and dye
Heating wax to the right temperature and adding fragrance and dye at the right time are crucial steps in candle-making. The temperature at which you heat your wax depends on the type of wax you are using. For instance, the majority of soy wax has a higher melting point than what is usually stated in kits, so it is recommended to heat soy wax to 185°F.
Once your wax has melted, you can add dye or colorant. Dye chips or blocks for candles typically melt smoothly between 160°F and 180°F, so you should test different temperatures within this range to find the best result. Liquid dyes can be added at any time after the wax has fully melted, but you should be careful not to go too high or too low in temperature. Adding colorant to wax that is too hot or too cold can cause inconsistencies in colour or prevent the dye from fully dissolving, so it is important to get the temperature right.
After adding dye, you can then add fragrance. Some candle makers recommend adding fragrance at a higher temperature, such as 180°F or 185°F, to ensure a strong scent. Others suggest adding fragrance at a lower temperature, such as 160°F or 165°F, to prevent the fragrance from burning off before the candle sets. Adding fragrance oil at too low a temperature can prevent the oils from blending well, so it is important to find the right balance.
Once you have added your fragrance, stir the mixture for at least 30 seconds to ensure that the fragrance is fully incorporated. You can then pour the wax into your mold.
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Pour the wax slowly and carefully into the mould
When pouring the wax, always ensure you are doing so slowly and carefully. You should aim to pour the wax into the centre of the mould, being careful not to splash the sides with wax. Leave around 3-4 ounces of wax in your pour pot to do a second pour later.
It is important to pour slowly and carefully as pouring at hotter temperatures will give you a smooth, shiny finish, whereas pouring at cooler temperatures will result in a more matte, rough finish. You should also be careful not to overfill the mould. Fill the mould right to the top, but be careful not to pour over the edge. Do not try to make shorter candles by pouring below the top, as they will not release from the mould.
As the wax begins to harden, use a skewer to poke relief holes around the wick to prevent air pockets from forming. If a crater forms, top it off with leftover wax and allow it to dry again.
If you are using a metal mould, be aware that these are not ideal for making beeswax candles due to the stickiness of the wax, which makes it difficult to get the candle out of the mould.
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Allow the wax to cool and harden, then remove the mould sealer
After pouring the wax into your mould, it's important to let it cool and harden before removing the mould sealer. This process can take a few hours, but it's worth giving it a full day to ensure the wax has fully hardened and will maintain its shape. To speed things up, you can place the mould in the refrigerator for a few minutes—but no longer than 10 minutes, as extended exposure to cold air can cause the wax to shrink too much and crack.
During the first three to four hours, check on your candle every hour. If you notice a well forming around the wick, gently poke a hole in the surface of the wax and pour in more melted wax to fill the well. You may need to do this a few times.
Once the candle is completely dry, it's time to remove it from the mould. Start by taking off the wick bar from the top and the magnetized mould sealer and sealing putty from the bottom. Then, gently pull the candle out of the mould. It should slide out smoothly. If it doesn't, gently warm the outside of the mould with a hair dryer and try again.
Now, all that's left to do is trim the wick on the bottom of the candle so that it's flush with the surface of the wax. For the wick on top, trim it to 1/4" or 1/2" long, depending on your preference. Your candle is now ready to be enjoyed!
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Frequently asked questions
First, make a slip knot at the end of your wick, leaving a few inches of wick at the end. Thread the wick through the pre-drilled hole in the bottom of the mold and seal the hole around the wick with some mold sealer. Pull the wick up from the top of the mold so that the knot and sealer cover the hole. You can also use a wick pin, which you push into the bottom of the mold, or pre-made wick tabs, which are small metal discs with an opening for the wick.
The type of wax you use depends on the type of candle you want to make. Soy wax and rapeseed wax are commonly used for molded candles, while olive wax or coconut wax will give your candle a beautiful shine. If you want to make coloured candles, palm wax is recommended. Beeswax is also suitable for creating molded candles and will give your candle superb detail, but it can be difficult to get the candle out of the mold.
Heat your wax to the recommended temperature, or until it reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit. You can add fragrance and dye at this stage if desired. Then, slowly and carefully pour the wax into your mold until it reaches the top, making sure not to pour over the edge. Allow your wax to cool, checking it every hour for the first 3 to 4 hours. If a well starts to form around the wick, gently poke a hole in the surface of the wax and fill it with more melted wax.
Once your candle is completely dry, remove the wick bar from the top and the magnetized mold sealer and sealing putty from the bottom. Then, gently pull the candle out of the mold from the top. If you have difficulty, gently warm the outside of the mold with a hair dryer or place the mold in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Trim the wick on the bottom of the candle so that it is flush with the surface of the wax, and trim the wick on the top of the candle to 1/4 inch.
